International Organ Festival Non Sola Scripta

Non Sola Scripta International Organ Festival

This is one of the oldest and most renowned organ music reviews in Poland and Europe. For over 20 years, NON SOLA SCRIPTA has been adding new chapters to Wrocław’s rich organ music traditions, which date back to the Baroque. In summer evenings, the historic walls of the Church of the Holy Cross, echo with tunes from various periods of music history. The festival is attended by the greatest organ virtuosos and improvisers, as well as titular organists from the greatest cathedrals of Europe and the world.

The NON SOLA SCRIPTA International Organ Festival is a series of concerts, connected and tied together thanks to a special programme. As the Latin name indicates, the evenings with organ music are not just all about everything that is written in the score, it is equally about improvisation in various kinds and forms. The event programme combines classical organ music with improvisation (also by virtuosos of other instruments), masterfully bringing together the masterpieces of early music with contemporary propositions. This is the only event in Poland devoted to organ music, which serves as an experiment resulting from the meeting of outstanding musicians – the unexpected variations on organ compositions are a result of the energy which is created among the exceptional concert bands, which bring together the best organists from all over the world, as well as masters of all other instruments and outstanding singers.

The festival, which is now recognised as one of the most important organ festivals in Poland, was established 21 years ago at the initiative of Tadeusz Płaza, former head of Impart, as well as an outstanding organist, Professor Andrzej Chorosiński. Non Sola Scripta is synonymous with the highest artistic quality – with concerts by world-class and Polish musicians attracting many music lovers to Wrocław. One of the undeniable advantages of the festival is also the concert venue – the music resounds in the beautiful interiors of historic churches in Wrocław. Until 2012, the festival was held at the Baroque University Church, since then it takes place at the Gothic Church of the Holy Cross in the Cathedral Island, which is closed to the public on a daily basis.